Isles of Scilly

Work life changed for many in Isles of Scilly in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. At the same time there were changes in relationships, family life and jobs.

The population changed very little

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Isles of Scilly remained close to 2,200.

The addition of about 50 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

In 2011, Isles of Scilly was home to, on average, 0.96 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Isles of Scilly

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Isles of Scilly increased by three years, from 43 to 46 years.

This coastal area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 100 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 50 and 59 years decreased by just over 50.

About 15% of people in Isles of Scilly are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Isles of Scilly by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Isles of Scilly

Isles of Scilly saw England's largest fall in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just over 9 in 10 (90%) in Isles of Scilly reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities, compared with 92% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 1.5% to 2.5%.

Tower Hamlets saw England's next largest rise in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 91% to 92%).

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

Isles of Scilly saw England's largest fall in the proportion of people working long hours.

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Isles of Scilly said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, compared with 19% in 2001. The percentage that worked less than 16 hours in a week increased from 1.8% to 2.0%.

Richmondshire saw England's next largest rise in the proportion of people working long hours (from 20% to 23%).

Long hour working in Isles of Scilly decreased by 6.9 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Isles of Scilly, the South West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

More people living alone

Isles of Scilly saw England's largest rise in the proportion of one-person households.

In 2011, just over one in three (34%) households in Isles of Scilly had only one person, compared with 27% in 2001. The percentage of households comprising an unmarried couple increased from 7.3% to 10%.

Barrow-in-Furness saw England's next largest rise in the proportion of one-person households (from 30% to 35%).

The percentage of households with only one person in Isles of Scilly increased by 6.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Isles of Scilly, the South West and England that comprised only one person, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer homes with children

Isles of Scilly saw England's second-largest fall in the proportion of households with children.

In 2011, just under one in five (20%) households in Isles of Scilly had at least one dependent child, compared with 24% in 2001. The percentage with no children increased from 69% to 74%.

England's largest decrease in the proportion of households with children occurred in Burnley (from 34% to 29%).

The proportion of households with children in Isles of Scilly decreased by 4.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Isles of Scilly, the South West and England with at least one dependent child, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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